Mobile English Program

The Mobile English Program Request for Applications issued by the New York State Department of State through its Office for New Americans is a competitive funding opportunity designed to expand access to English language learning for immigrants across New York State. The Office for New Americans was established in 2012 to support the integration of immigrants and to provide access to essential services, and this program builds on its ongoing efforts since 2014 to deliver mobile English learning solutions. The initiative specifically targets individuals with limited English proficiency, a population representing a significant portion of the state, and seeks to enhance accessibility through technology-driven solutions. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to identify a qualified organization capable of developing, implementing, and maintaining a mobile-based English language learning platform. This platform must deliver English for Speakers of Other Languages instruction through mobile devices, ensuring that learners can access lessons at any time. The selected contractor will also provide on-demand coaching and technical assistance, support onboarding, and promote the program through outreach and training materials. All services funded under this grant must be provided at no cost to participants or partner organizations. The scope of work is extensive and includes platform development compliant with recognized quality and cybersecurity standards, such as ISO and NIST frameworks, and adherence to accessibility requirements under federal law. The platform must support a wide range of learners, including those with low digital literacy, pre-literate individuals, and persons with disabilities. It must also offer multilingual access across sixteen specified languages and provide a diverse catalog of courses, including sector-specific workforce training and life skills education. Lessons are expected to be brief and progressive, with certificates issued upon completion. The funding structure anticipates an initial one-year contract period, with the possibility of two additional one-year renewals contingent on performance and budget availability. The contractor is expected to support at least five thousand users annually through a licensing model and provide coaching services during extended hours. Additional responsibilities include conducting regular trainings for partner organizations, producing multilingual promotional materials, and maintaining robust data reporting systems that track user engagement and outcomes. Eligibility for this opportunity includes both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations authorized to conduct business in New York State. Nonprofit applicants must be prequalified in the Statewide Financial System by the application deadline. The application process requires submission of both technical and cost proposals, along with multiple administrative certifications and compliance forms. Applications may be submitted electronically or via mail, and strict adherence to submission guidelines is required to avoid disqualification. The evaluation process consists of an initial screening followed by a detailed scoring of technical and cost components. Technical proposals are assessed based on organizational experience, program design, and implementation strategy, while cost proposals are evaluated separately. The final award is determined using a best value approach, combining both technical merit and cost efficiency. Applicants are encouraged to provide detailed narratives addressing all required components, including platform functionality, accessibility, training, reporting, and outreach strategies. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a release date of January 30, 2026, a question submission deadline of February 25, 2026, and a final application deadline of March 25, 2026 at 4 pm Eastern Time. Questions must be submitted in writing and responses are publicly posted. The selected applicant will enter into a formal contract with the state and must comply with all reporting, monitoring, and regulatory requirements throughout the project period.

Ensure detailed technical narrative demonstrating platform accessibility multilingual capability and compliance with security standards